This is the latest in our "Where Are They Now" series that catches up on people who at one time were featured in the pages of The Repository. Have an idea for us to pursue? Email newsro...

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Where are they now?

This is the latest in our "Where Are They Now" series that catches up on people who at one time were featured in the pages of The Repository. Have an idea for us to pursue? Email newsroom@cantonrep.com.

Former Canton City Safety Director Thomas Nesbitt is living the good life.

He is running a couple of high-profile security businesses, celebrating his parents' 65th wedding anniversary and enjoying life in his home state of Nebraska with his wife, children and his grandchildren.

"I have come back to my roots where I was born and grew up. Things are good," he said earlier this month. "We've got snow on the ground here and it's kind of cold ... "

Nesbitt left Nebraska's snowy winters for Canton's in January 2008, when he became the city's public safety director.

Nesbitt had been the youngest colonel to serve on the Nebraska State Patrol at the time with more than 20 years of law enforcement experience. He had created a committee to address minority issues and racial profiling, a statewide Internet child-sex crimes unit and a statewide sex offender registry, according to his online résumé.

In Canton, he oversaw the police, fire and building departments. He resigned in August 2009 — criticizing Mayor William J. Healy II on the way out.

Nesbitt's resignation letter accused the mayor of putting his own political interests above those of the public. Healy told The Repository that he and Nesbitt had a number of disagreements.

But Nesbitt moved on. And he went home.

"Since I left Canton, I've started a couple businesses," he said.

Nesbitt owns a private investigative business — Nesbitt Investigations — and a school security services business focused on security and safety of schools, their safety plans and how their plans can be improved.

"My wife and I talk about Canton regularly. It was a wonderful experience for us," he said.

"I must say that I miss the city of Canton and the people there, and I miss the public safety forces. Canton in my opinion is very fortunate to have the dedicated men and women that they have in public safety forces. And I was very fortunate to be part of that. It was also a pleasure for me to work with the City Council. They are good people who have the good people of their city at heart."

But, he said, "Things are going well for me."

His parents celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this year and, he said, "They kind of need me back here."

His son, who served as a U.S. Marine in Afghanistan, has also moved back to Nebraska, where they live with his 3-year-old granddaughter and 6-month-old grandson.

Nesbitt's wife is the director of a local nursing home, and their 15-year-old daughter is boasting a grade point average of 4.3.

"She didn't take after her father, I have to tell you that," he joked.

Nesbitt had a request: "Tell everyone, 'Hi' for me."

Page 2 of 2 - Reach Lori at 330-580-8309 or on Twitter: @lmonsewiczREP